Pedioplanis undata, known commonly as the plain sand lizard or the western sand lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.

Pedioplanis undata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Pedioplanis
Species:
P. undata
Binomial name
Pedioplanis undata
(A. Smith, 1838)
Synonyms[2]

Geographic range

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P. undata is found in southern Namibia[1][2] and in South Africa (northwestern Cape Province).[2]

Description

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P. undata is a small and slender species, closely resembling P. namaquensis. However, the lower eyelid of P. undata has a "window" formed by 2–4 semitransparent large scales. Adults of P. undata have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5 cm (1.8–2.0 in), and the tail is very long, nearly three times SVL.[3]

Diet

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P. undata preys upon small insects.[3]

Reproduction

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P. undata is oviparous.[2] Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of 5.5–7.5 cm (2.2–3.0 in).[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bauer, A.M.; Becker, F. (2020). "Pedioplanis undata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T197003A110221952. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T197003A110221952.en. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Pedioplanis undata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Pedioplanus undata, p. 173 + Plate 58).

Further reading

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  • Boulenger GA (1887). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. Lacertidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Eremias undata, p. 92).
  • Conradie W, Measey GJ, Branch WR, Tolley KA (2012). "Revised phylogeny of African sand lizards (Pedioplanis), with description of two new species from south-western Angola". African Journal of Herpetology 61 (2): 91–112.
  • Duméril AMC, Bibron G (1839). Erpétologie générale ou Histoire naturelle complète des Reptiles. Tome cinquième [Volume 5]. Paris: Roret. viii + 854 pp. (Lacerta undata, new species, pp. 316–317). (in French).
  • Kirchhof S, Hipsley CA, Corl A, Dell'Mour H, Müller J (2014). "Pedioplanis undata (A. Smith, 1838), Western Sand Lizard". African Herp News, Newsletter of the Herpetological Association of Africa 61: 30–33. (Figures 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D).
  • Smith A (1838). "Contributions to the Natural History of Southern Africa". Magazine of Natural History 2: 92–94. (Lacerta undata, new species, p. 93).